15 New Zealand Island Hopping Tours Worth Booking

1.Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,002 reviews · 4h 30m · from $90Our pick

Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands with a small local crew, stopping at Motuarohia and Urupukapuka islands for short walks, swimming and snorkeling. Hear live stories about Māori culture, Captain Cook and the coast, then look for dolphins, seals and seabirds near Cape Brett. The Hole in the Rock passage depends on sea conditions.

“Loved the smaller boat. We got to see a huge amount of dolphins and go through the hole in the rock. I didn’t find the islands themselves that spectacular but the trip was still very enjoyable.”

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2.Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 727 reviews · from $94

Cruise from Paihia or Russell among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Your English-speaking crew shares local stories as you head to Cape Brett and Motukōkako, then stop at Otehei Bay for a swim, walk, or café break. Dolphins and whales are possible, but never guaranteed, and rough weather can prevent passage through the rock.

“Amazing cruise and lovely and attentive staff! Second time I booked it, saw dolphins, made it through the hole in the rock.”

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3.Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour – with two island stopovers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 701 reviews · from $104Top rated

Spend 4.5 hours with Island Getaway Tours exploring the Bay of Islands by boat and on foot. Captain Hamish, Nick, Blair, or another local skipper shares island stories, wildlife notes, and sailing skills as you visit Roberton Island, stop at a second island, and look for dolphins before attempting the famous Hole in the Rock.

“The crew was great, JT, Emma & Hamish were informative, friendly, and super nice. The weather was perfect! The entire experience was even better than we expected. NZ is spectacular & everything we saw and did was fantastic. The dolphins frolicked, we went through the hole in the rock, the view from Robertson’s Island was breathtaking, we had a great adult beverage on the last island. The time flew! Would highly recommend!!!”

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4.Waiheke Island Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 315 reviews · from $58

Take the ferry from Auckland, then explore Waiheke Island by hop-on hop-off bus with live commentary and 16 stops. Visit Oneroa, beaches, galleries, vineyards, museums, and viewpoints at your own pace. Drivers such as Ash and Simon add local stories, while an hourly service keeps the day flexible.

“We took the ferry over and then took the hop-on hop off bus! The ferry was cool cuz it went past Islands. Hop on off was great to get to wineries. Beautiful wineries! Unbelievable sites!”

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5.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139

Spend six hours aboard a small catamaran with Barefoot Sailing Adventures, sailing among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Luke and his crew provide live commentary, morning tea, lunch, snorkel gear, paddleboards, and a two-hour stop at a wildlife sanctuary island for swimming, walking, or relaxing.

“We spent an excellent day discovering the bay of isilands. Luke gave many information about sailing, nature and history. During the 2 h lunch break we were walking on an island discovering the birds, swimming, snorkelling and stand up paddeling. I recommend this trip”

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6.Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 292 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $92

Spend 6 to 8 hours cruising Tikapa Moana from Auckland, with dedicated time to find whales and dolphins, live commentary, and a stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard. Choose wildlife walks and a swim, or wine and lunch. A marine mammal guarantee offers a return voucher if nothing is seen.

“Wow, wow, wow, what a fabulous day and so lucky😎 Even the guys running the boat said we saw a lot more than is usual and in perfect weather too. Loads of Gannets that gave away the positions of the feeding Common Dolphins and Bryde's Whales😎 These whales are quite common here but considered as critically endangered generally🙄 Brutus" is a nickname for the Bryde's whale, that is pronounced "Broodus"🐳”

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7.Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $114

Join Vigilant Yacht Charters at 10am in Russell for a 5.5-hour sailing day across the Bay of Islands. Nat, Natalie, Dallas, Anita, or Nick may guide the trip, depending on the crew. Expect island stops, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, lunch, local stories, and a chance to take the helm.

“Unreal day for this boat trip. They held out despite the weather forecast being bad and it ended up being amazing. They served an absolutely lovely lunch and were so friendly and chilled the entire time. Couldn’t recommend enough, the whole group absolutely loved it. Thankyou so much!”

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8.Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour – Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $104

Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands with guides such as Adam, Cass, Hamish, or Nick. Walk to Roberton Island’s twin-lagoon lookout, watch for dolphins, penguins, seals, and seabirds, visit the Hole in the Rock when conditions allow, then snorkel, swim, or relax at a second island.

“Adam and Cass were great! The hike on Robinson Island, seeing 1 dolphin swim around the boat, and boating thru the hole in rock was special! Great location for lunch with our prepaid yummy lunches. The boat provided fins, mask, snorkel but disappointed the visibility at snorkeling location was not so good. Highly recommend this trip!”

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9.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 6 hours · from $134

Spend six hours sailing from Paihia through the Bay of Islands with Barefoot Sailing Adventures. Help sail the catamaran or stretch out on beanbags, then spend two hours on a wildlife sanctuary island with lunch, snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and short walks. Luke and his crew add local stories and practical help.

“Skipper Luke and assistant Michelle made the day sail very enjoyable. Luke is an excellent skipper with good local knowledge. both were very hospitable, and the lunch excellent quality for a genuine sailing experience.”

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10.Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 8h 30m · from $116

Spend 510 minutes aboard the Cream Trip route from Paihia, cruising past 144 islands to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Your English-speaking crew shares local stories, searches for dolphins and whales, and stops at Urupukapuka Island for swimming, walking, lunch, or a cafe break. Boom-netting runs when conditions allow.

“This was an amazing day out even though the weather was against us! The skipper told us loads of relevant info and history about the various islands which also included some lunch on one of them. We were able to stand on the outside deck for the whole trip which enabled us to see more of our surroundings. Well worth every penny.”

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11.3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · from $89

Join Island Getaway Tours for a three-hour boat trip from Paihia with guides such as Zac, Adam, Emma, and JT. You’ll cruise among 144 islands, walk to Motuarohia Island’s lookout, watch for dolphins, and visit Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. The smaller boat adds speed, close views, and a livelier ride.

“Zak was fantastic. Interesting commentary and exciting boat trip. The weather was roo rough to make it out to the Hole in the Rock, but Zak more than made up for it with the trip around the island”

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12.3-Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $785

This three-day Northland tour links Auckland with Paihia, Russell, Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach, Puketi Kauri Forest, and Waitangi Treaty Grounds. You travel with local guides, stay two nights in Paihia, and join separate coach and boat operators along the way. Expect an early start, long day to the far north, and weather-dependent cruising.

“We had a great day today on the trip up to the top of New Zealand. Particularly fascinated by the drive on the beach”

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13.3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · from $772

Travel from Auckland to Paihia for three busy days of Māori heritage, coastal scenery, Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach and a Bay of Islands cruise. You get two nights’ accommodation, a Waitangi tour, Cape Reinga excursion, Hole in the Rock cruise and return transport. Some sections use public InterCity buses, not one private coach.

“Great experience to join this tour as it includes all the major spots in the NZ's northern area. Bus drivers are very professional and polite. Regarding to the hotel accommodation, the room is quite good. The location is very convenient. It takes about 5 minutes to reach a supermarket. One minor thing is that the kettle in the 3 star hotel is dirty and old. Paihia is definitely the place you have to go if you would like to take a break in a small town/village for few days.”

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14.Hole in the Rock Tour & Bay of Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · 3 hours · from $86

Join Island Getaway for a 3-hour fast boat cruise from Paihia Wharf through the Bay of Islands. Your English-speaking skipper and guides point out Cape Brett Lighthouse, wildlife, secluded bays, and the famous Hole in the Rock, weather permitting. Bring swimwear and a towel, and pre-order lunch if needed.

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15.The Original Full day Bay of Islands Cruise with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $136

Spend seven hours cruising the Ipipiri islands with guides such as Marty and Michael, stopping for 90 minutes at Otehei Bay. Hear Māori and colonial stories, circle the Hole in the Rock, watch for dolphins, and try boom-netting when conditions allow.

“The Captain was an amazing character, made funny jokes and explained a bit about the history of what happened around the islands. Explained a few Maori names and showed us many great spots! We saw wildlife and made a 3 hour sRead more”

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